Laboratory Technician

The successful candidate will join the Murphy Water engineering business within the Laboratory Department,
reporting to the Process Compliance Manager

The role involves supporting the operations team through sampling, analysis, and data reporting for water and
wastewater treatment processes. Responsibilities include assisting in ensuring compliance with regulatory and
performance standards and contributing to the development and implementation of effective operation and
maintenance strategies.The position also involves supporting water process optimisation and applying problem-
solving expertise across the business unit. This includes facilitation and coordination with managers, team
leaders, operations technicians, and site personnel to optimise process performance, as well as interfacing with
relevant stakeholders and clients.

Murphy is committed to recruiting and retaining talented individuals to support the company’s growth and long-
term success in the industry. We actively invest in our staff through continuous professional development, and
our CPD Programme is accredited by Engineers Ireland.

Role Duties

▪ Perform routine and specialised chemical, physical, and microbiological analyses on samples from
water and wastewater treatment processes, including raw water, treated water, plant influent,
process streams, final effluent, sludge, and environmental monitoring programmes.
▪ Conduct laboratory testing of key water and wastewater quality parameters including colour,
turbidity, hardness, alkalinity, conductivity, pH, chlorine residual, ammonia, nitrate, total
phosphorus, orthophosphate, COD, BOD, TSS, and other process-critical parameters required for
operational performance and regulatory compliance.
▪ Support the monitoring, optimisation, and troubleshooting of water and wastewater treatment
processes, including coagulation, flocculation, filtration, disinfection, biological treatment, sludge
treatment, and nutrient removal systems.

▪ Undertake laboratory analysis to support process performance assessments, operational
investigations, commissioning activities, and compliance monitoring across water and wastewater
treatment facilities.
▪ Ensure all analytical results are accurately recorded, interpreted, and validated in line with quality
control protocols.
▪ Perform data trending, statistical review, and validation of test results to identify anomalies, inform
operational decisions, and ensure data integrity.
▪ Prepare, maintain, and verify calibration records for laboratory equipment (daily, monthly, and as
required), ensuring instruments are performing within acceptable ranges.
▪ Assist in the development, review, and validation of laboratory methods in compliance with relevant
standards and best practices.
▪ Maintain laboratory cleanliness and organisation, including the washing, sterilising, and upkeep of
analytical equipment and glassware.
▪ Manage laboratory supplies, including ordering reagents and consumables, maintaining an updated
chemical inventory list, and ensuring availability of updated MSDS documentation.
▪ Ensure all work is performed in compliance with company health and safety policies, environmental
standards, and statutory regulations.
▪ Adhere to all internal policies and procedures related to quality assurance, ethical conduct, and
health, safety, environmental, sustainability and quality (SHESQ) protocols.
▪ Collaborate with operations teams by providing timely and actionable data to support plant
optimisation, compliance reporting, and troubleshooting.
▪ Maintain detailed laboratory records and contribute to internal and external audits, inspections,
and reporting obligations.
▪ Contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and team-oriented working environment.
▪ Demonstrate flexibility by supporting laboratory and field sampling work across various sites in
Ireland.
▪ Be a punctual, motivated, and organised self-starter who is enthusiastic and conscientious about
completing work on time and to a high standard.

Qualifications & Skills
▪ Diploma / degree qualification is desirable (preferred but non-essential)
▪ Knowledge of laboratory work is desirable. All training will be received on the job.
▪ Experience within the Water / Wastewater industry a distinct advantage
▪ Motivated, self-starter with excellent communications skill
▪ Ability to collaborate with multiple disciplines (civil, electrical, process, etc.) and provide technical
and commercial guidance in a multidisciplinary environment.
▪ Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a track record of resolving technical issues and
managing project changes.
▪ Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Proficiency with data analysis software is
advantageous
▪ Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively liaise with clients, subcontractors, and
team members.
▪ Ability to engage with clients and stakeholders effectively, ensuring their needs are met
throughout the project lifecycle.
▪ Full, clean driving licence